Félix Alexandre Guilmant

Synopsis

French Composer, Concert Organist, and Teacher, Editor

• Born on March 12, 1837 in Boulogne-ser-Mer, France
• His father Jean-Baptiste Guilmant, organist of St. Nicolas, Boulogne, was his first music teacher
• At the same time he took harmony lessons with Gustav Carulli
• From an early age he was devoted to music and the organ. He rigorously practiced, composed and studied treatises
• 1853 at age 16 he became organist of St Joseph
• 1855 he composed his first Messe solemnelle in F
• He taught solfege at the Ecolee Communale de Musique
• 1860 He went to Brussels to study with J. N. Lemmens
• 1862 He inaugurated a new organ by Aristide Cavaille-Coll in Paris at St. Sulpice
• 1868 He inaugurated a new organ at Notre Dame
• 1871 He became the organist at La Trinite
• 1878 He became the resident organist of the Palais du Trocadero
• During this time he decided to pursue a parallel career as a recitalist
• He edited and published forgotten works of Titelouze, Grigny, Clerambault, and Couperin
• He also loved new music from Liszt, Schumann, Rheinberger, Franck, Saint-Saens, Widor and S. S. Wesley
• He would also program Handel's organ concertos, and transcriptions of Berlioz and Wagner
• He toured throughout Europe, Britain, and America. He was the first major French composer to tour the United States.
• He was known for his impeccable technique, precision and rhythmic clarity. He also was known for his registration choices
• 1894 he joined with Vincent d'Indy and CharlesBordes to found the Schola Cantorum, where they intended to continue the tradition of Franck
• 1896-1911 He succeeded Widor as the organ professor at the Paris Conservatoire.
• There he taught Dupre, Nadia Boulanger, Clarence Eddy, and William C. Carl.
• Died on March 29, 1911 in Meudon, France

1855-1911 He composed mainly for the organ. His output includes 8 sonatas.He also wrote masses, 18 Pieces dans differents stlyles pour orgue, motets, 12 L'Organiste Pratique pour harmonium, He includes impressionistic uses of dominant 7th chords. He is unique with his registration, and his harmonic ideas. His music requires great technique like in his Organ Sonatas.

For details, see the Alexandre Guilmant article on Wikipedia.

List of Organ Works

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Background and General Perspectives on Performing Guilmant Organ Works

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Registration and Organs

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See the footnote in the "Notes" section at the bottom of the page

Fingering and Pedaling

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Articulation and Phrasing

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Ornamentation

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Tempo and Meter

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Scores and Editions

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Recordings

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Free Online

• Sonata 1 Op. 42

 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82EVaO2XGQ8

• Cantilene Pastorale Op. 15 No. 3

 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc3szD4CB3E

• Morceau Symphonique Op. 88 for Trombone and Organ

 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0CDiOowNNI

Pay to Listen

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Other Resources

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Notes

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